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Ask the Teacher - 10th February 2014

Q: I really like the Input-Storage-Process-Output model. Is it possible to organize computer jobs and/or fields within computing by those categories?

A: There are IT support jobs which cater for the whole spectrum of input, process output and generally you might do things like troubleshoot printer issues or figure out why a mouse is not working, also software developers deal with the whole spectrum of input process output when designing new systems. You might also think about network manager jobs as setting up new computer systems also deal with this model. In terms of limiting it to just one area:

Input – these generally take the form of administrative jobs where people type up things or scan things into computers all day, alternatively designing new input systems like working for Razer and designing new gaming mice.

Processing – most processing is done through the use of applications/programs written by software engineers, I would say that programming and designing new systems is really what you are looking at in terms of processing jobs.

Output – this can be in the form of designing new output systems e.g. working for Samsung and designing new monitors or printers, also output jobs might be in the form of IT technical sales which generally deal with selling equipment.

Q: How fast is 2.4 Ghz?

A: Easy, 2400000000 hertz, so if 1 hertz is one cycle per second, 2.4 Ghz is 2400000000 cycles per second. In terms of CPU speed this is probably about average at the moment. There are faster processors which can get overclocked and reach up to around 4.0 Ghz.

Q: Can a computer be powered from space?

A: If you are talking about using solar power to power a computer then yes it is possible and has been done, have a look at the Samsung NC215S. There are also a lot of prototypes of laptops which use solar power. There are also theories about space based solar power (SBSP) but I would hate to speculate on that.

Q: What are computer batteries made from?

A: I am going to assume that you mean laptops as computers usually have a power supply unit (PSU) and do not run on batteries – there is a small battery to power the ROM when the computer is turned off which is made from Lithium. The short answers is that the majority of laptops use Lithium-Ion batteries but this can vary. An interesting website for the difference in battery technologies is here:

Q: This relates to 'standards' as part of the topic Fundamentals of Computer Systems. Rather than being asked to write down definitions and their own examples of different standards, can students expect to be given questions, offering a relevant context?

A: Both could be possible, the knowledge of definitions and what standards might apply in a certain scenario.